Vibratory whipping device



April 12, 1960 N. B. WALES VIBRATORY WHIPPING YDEzvIcfs Filed 061,. 17. 1958 United States PatentA O,

VIBRATORY WHIPPING DEVICE Nathaniel B. Wales, Southampton, N Y.

Application October 17, 1958, Serial No. 767,925

7 Claims. (Cl. 259-128) This invention relates to a magnetically actuated whipping device. More particularly it concerns certain novel structures and improvements in a vibratory type of food preparing utensil which makes such a utensil a most desirable and an essentially practical item of kitchen equipment.

It has been found that an oscillatory displacement of a properly spring biased two pole armature will maintain its synchronous oscillation across the pole faces of an electric magnet energized by a 60 cycle A.C. current throughout a wide Variation of load resistance as imposed thereon by a whipper blade or blades operating in liquids having a wide variation in their viscosities, although the amplitude of oscillatory displacement may appreciably decrease as viscosity increases. This variation of amplitude performs an equivalent energy adjustment comparable to a shifting of gear ratios, only it is automatic. This characteristic permits a kitchen food whipper to be realized without employing the complexity together with the manual shifting and production cost of a series of gear ratios as is necessary in a rotating motor type mixer, between the motive means and the actual surface of whipping ar'ea employed.

Furthermore it was found that this variation in the amplitude of oscillation of the blades of the whipper still maintains a high shredding action which is so essential for a rapid blending of a viscousmixture.

The minimum weight or mass factor between the oscillating armature and the food whipping blade including the weight of the vibratory transfer mechanism itself is very important, as well as a very minimum of the amplitude of the vibratory transfer structure. For this reason I preferably utilize, as a minimum axis of oscillation, the bearing shaft itself, on which the armature oscillates. This simple structure also allows for the necessaryY linear extension of this bearing shaft to give adequate space between the whipper blades and the vibratory magnetic motive means encased in the manipula-` tive handle of the device.

the mixing bowl. This intense vibration produces a heavy spattering over a complete surrounding circle and means had to be devised to confine and nullify this serious defect without decreasing the intensity of the vibratory action. A splash guard has been devised which is one of the novel and most important features of this invention to make it a practical utensil, details of which will be fully described.

The objects of my invention are:

(a) A compact, light weight and low cost vibratory food Whipper and blender which operates under all circumstances without splashing.

(b) A food whipper which will eiciently blend viscous mixes as well as whip eggs or cream without resorting to gear ratios.

(c) A food whipping device which has two different geometric forms of operative vibratory tools to which the vibratory forces are applied, the rst one, in which the vibratory forces travel to the vibratory blade in linear relation, the second one in radial relation thereto, either one of which may be used at will with one unit.` The rst tool will whip a drink mixture, such as a cocktail, while contained in a conventionally small diameter glass or vessel. Yet this same device by emplacing the other radial vibratory tool inserted into the same vibratory take-olf connection on the oscillating armature shaft will whip a relatively large semi-liquid mass in a conventional sized kitchen bowl without splashing in a very short period, quicker in fact than a conventional motor driven geared mixer of equal electrical input.

(d) Other objects are inherent in the drawings and specifications.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete exterior of the invention, as held by the hand during its operation, to

' give a relative concept of its size and extreme compact- In this manner, the maximum of vibratory energy is conserved in transfer to be applied directly on to the operative whipping blades to Vpermit them to attain a maximum of vibratory amplitude to give rapidity of processing.

'f As the rate of oscillation of the whipping blades in this utensil is (60) sixty per second when the motive ,means is energized by 60 cycle A.C. current with an average amplitude of vibration of 3A; to 1/z of an inch at their tips due to the above stated means of conserving energy in the vibratory transfer structure. It has been foundby experimentation that this very high disruptive action ap plied to a liquid body, causes apartieularly detrimental action as and when `the whipping element is being entered into a liquids surface, that is` partially submerged or conversely as it is being taken out of the liquid body.` This occurs if the operator forgets to open the switch irll the manipulative handleor brings the vibrating blade too close to the fluid surface in moving the whipper about in ness. The splash guard is shown, in this view, moved upward, due to its slidable relationship, on the whipping tools spindle, to aid clarity in exposing to full view the radially formed multi-bladed whipping tool.

Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation of any food preparing vessel containing a liquid food mixture. The upper figure therein in dotted lines, illustrates the normal relationship, under gravity, of the position of the splash guard above and in close proximity to the whipping tool. The next figure directly under the dotted lined figure and in full lines, shows the whipping tool entirely submerged in the food mixture, whereas the splash guard due to its capability of floating in a liquid has risen upwardly along the spindle of the tool, distant from the tool.

Figure 3 is an enlarged partially sectional fragment in elevation of the splash guard and whipping tool and showing the air trapping chamber formed by the structure of the splash guard to give the same an adequate oatation factor.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the whipping element, showing the eect of the rapid oscillation of its spindle on the radial extending blades and the relative amplitude of their vibration, which is due partially to their inherent ilexibility.

Fgure 5 is a partially sectional view in plan of the assembly of the magnetically induced vibratory motive means.

Figure 6 is a partially sectional view in elevation of Figure 5 showing the armature and oscillatory take-ott' shaft formed as a unitary plastic molding with magnetic:`

iron inserts` forming the pole faces of the armature.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view taken on lines 7-7 in Figure 6 of the take-off shaft a'n'd the manual locking means thereon for the detachable vibratory tools.

' Figure 8 is a Aperspective view of the off-set vibratory tool wherein the vibrations are formed on the blade linear- Patented Apr;A 12, 1960 1y in'an arced amplitude dueto the rightangled off-set of its spindle. 4

IFigure 9 is a plan view of Figure 8 showing the arcedformed vibrations of the blade about its oit-set axis of oscillation.

`Referring again to the drawings and specifically to. Figure l, numeral 1 is the lightweight plastic casing which encloses the magnetically induced vibratory motive means and is sized to be easily held in the palm o f Vthe hand. Numeral 2 is the outer end of the oscillatory take-off shaft protruding from casing 1, 3 is the driving spindle of the whipping tool 5 having a squaredy end 4 to fit into a companion recess in the end of vibratory power take-off shaft 2. An electric energizing supply cord 6 is shown projecting at one end of casing 1 to supply 60 cycle A.C. current and a manually pressed electric switch 7 is located at the bottom of casing 1 to be handy to one of the grasping lingers of the hand'.

Numeral 9 is the splash guard, preferably formed circular to closely encompass the vibrating blades 10 o f the radially bladed whipping tool 5 as seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3. A depending skirt 11 completely shrouds the blades 10 when the guard 9 is in its normal or gravity controlled position asisseen in Figure 3 wherein the lower end of the axially positioned journal-bearing 12 rests on the hub 13 of tool 5. I-t will therefore be understood that the shrouding of the blades 10 -is thus primarily accomplished by the skirt 11. -It is noted, see Figure 3, that the bearing 12 extends downwardly and as skirt 11 also depends, an air trapping chamber x is thereby formed within splash guard 5, sufficient to effect a state of oata tion of guard 9 in a liquid. n

Now, as it is important in this invention to obtain doatation of splashl guard 9, to maintain it on the surface of a food mixture while the operator, at will, can lower and submerge in a cooking vessel the vibratory blades 10 of whipping tool 5 and keep the guard 9 distant from the submerged whipping zone of blades 10, as is shown in Figure 2, so as to prevent the shrouding effect of guard 9 from restricting the free rcirculation of a food mixture about whipping tool 5. There are three ways of floating splash guard 9, (l) as shown here; (2) by forming the splash guard of one of several of the newer transparent polyethylene plastics which have a specific gravity less than l; v(3) by forming a hermetical air chamber in the body of guard 9. Of these, I have shown as a descriptive means of floatation, No. l, as per above, as it is cheaply formed in plastics and one is not restricted as to the choice of forming it in a low-cost colorful plastic. As spindle 3 has a free -sliding lit or tolerance with journal element 12 in splash guard 9, the guard will instantly be displaced linearly along spindle 3 when it contacts a liquid food preparation as is seen in Figure 2. Splash guards 9 inherent mass and surface friction in such a liquid foodV body overcomes the minute, but very rapid oscillations of spindle 3, due to journal 12 so it remains stationary.

One of the features which has been found to be cffective by extended experimentation is the form and size of perforation of the vibratory blades 10 of tool 5, see Figs. 1, 3 and 8. This configuration of orifices 14 in blades 10 magniies the shredding action of the vibrating blades 10 due to a great divergence in the high and low accelerated liquid zones, produced by these perforations, which zones are in close contacting proximity to the vibrating blades. This Yconfiguration of a plurality of orifices 14 also controls the flexibility of blades 10 which factor is exercised in the automatic load compensation, caused by the variation of blades 10 amplitudes of displacement when under increasing load.

Note the fluid dow paths, generated by the intense vibratory action of blades 10, as seen in Figure 4, and for this very reason, if there were no splash guard 9, which remains constantly .at the surface even when the tops o f the blades 1l) are within 63 of .an inch Abelow the oscillatory motive means.

surface, the splashing eiect generated thereby without the guard 9, forms a virtual circle thereabout of liquid splashing. These blades vibrate at 60 oscillations'per second and have an average amplitude of 3A of an inch.

Referring to Figure 3. It is also seen that due to the closely surrounding guard 9 that it would be very difficult to clean the whipping element 5 if the splash guard could not be freely displaced away from the element 5, as is seen, in Figure 1,

Turning to Figure 5, armature 15 is formed preferably of plastic and is shown integrally molded with take-off shaft 2, Armature 1S has suitable iron inserts 16 emplaced in the mold in which it is formed. These inserts are the magnetic pole pieces of the armature 15 and are induced to alternately move across the pole faces 17 of electric magnet 18 when it is energized by an A.C. current. The two springs 19 and 20 oppositely bias the armature oscillations across pole faces 17 of magnet 18, when magnet 18 is energized by feed wires 21, which include switch 7 in this circuit, see Figures 1 and 5. Armature 1S, see Figure 6, has a selflubricating bearing sleeve molded therein as an insert 22, into which sleeve 22, bearing pin 23 is journaled and pin 23 forms the axial bearing about which armature 1S and take-oirshaft 2 oscillates.

Oscillatory take-off shaft 2 extends through an orilice in casing 1, see Fig. 7. A frame 24 holds bearing pin 23 and coordinates as an assembly, the electric magnet 18, and the springs 19 and 20 in xed operative position.

Beyond its effectiveness as a Whipping device due to its rapid and powerful action, this invention would not be practical or acceptable, as a commercial article, unless an adequate splash guard 9 was devised to meet its particular requirements and for these reasons emphasis is laid on its unique capabilities-viz. linearly displaceable along the spindle 3, journaled on spindle 3 to prevent its oscillating movement, which would absorb energy Yfrom blades 10 and the fact that it also displaces itself by floatation, distant from blades 10 when they are submerged to insure a free circulation of liquids from and to the surfaces of vibrating blades 10. Yet at that moment when it is needed, when blades 10 are at or near the surface of the liquid food mixture, it is free to assume a protective position about blades 10.

When either the radial bladed or the linear bladed vibrating tools 5 are inserted into a cake mix or other viscous mixture, the amplitude of the vibrating blades 10 are noticeably decreased as compared to cream or egg whipping or other less viscous mixes, this is partially due to the predetermined flexibility of the blades 10, however, this decrease in actual load displacement reduces automatically the load on the vibratory motive means to an extent permitting it to maintain its substantially synchronous displacement across its magnetic pole faces and so does not stall. This is evidenced by the fact that one can hold a blade 10 between the thumb and finger and exert all of ones strength thereon without stalling ythe This action also illustrates the inherent safety ofthe invention.

`It is believed, not to be necessary, to enumerate in greater detail the operation of this device, as the operation of a vibratory magnetic motive means is well known. The novel portions, however, of the invention have now been thoroughly explained as to function, operation and for-m.

What I desire 'to protect by United States Letters Patent is encompassed in the following claims.

I claim:

l. An agitating device for fluid mixes and the like comprising motive means, an elongated, depending element driven thereby, agitating means carried by said element at the lower portion thereof, a spray guard for said last-mentioned means, said spray guard being freely journaled on said depending element above said agitating means and verticallydisplaceable along the axis of said element relative to said last mentioned means, said spray guard formed to substantially shroud said agitating means when the same is not immersed in the mix to be agitated, and capable of floating upon said mix and being displaced vertically along said spindle away from the agitating means as the said means is immersed therein so as not to interfere with the agitating action of said means in the mix 'during the agitating operation, while at the same time providing adequate shielding against splashing during entry and removal of the whipping means from said mix.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said spray guard includes means for trapping air therein to effect otation of said guard on the mix to be agitated.

3. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said spray guard includes means forming a hermetical air flotation chamber.

4. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said spray guard is formed of a material having a specic gravity less than 1.

5. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said spray guard is formed with a depending skirt portion extending downwardly to substantially shroud the agitating means.

6. A vibratory agitating device comprising an electromagnetically induced vibratory motive means, a depending, extended vibratory transmitting element driven thereby, agitating means carried by said element at the lower portion thereof, a spray guard for said last-mentioned means, said spray guard being freely journaled on said element above said agitating means and vertically displaceable along said element relative to said last-mentioned means, said spray guard for-med to substantially shroud said agitating means when the same is not m mersed in the substance to be agitated and capable of floating upon said substance and being displaced vertically along said element away from the agitating means as the said means is immersed therein so as not to interfere with the agitating action of said means in the substance during the agitating operation, while at the same time providing adequate shielding against splashing during entry and removal of the agitating means from Said substance.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 wherein said agitating means comprises blades transversely disposed with reference to `said depending vibratory transmitting element with the exure of said blades determined by perforations formed in said blades, whereby the work load on said motive means is automatically reduced and the motor is thus prevented from stalling by a reduction in the amplitude of vibratory displacement of the blades by predetermined flexure of said blades when encountering variable viscosities in the mix.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,054,201 Hathaway Feb. 25, 1913 1,161,547 Szentivanyi Nov. 23, 1915 1,464,873 Hendricks Aug. 14, 1923 1,713,119 Flegel May 14, 1929 2,505,423 Morgan Apr. 25, 1950 2,612,352 Singer Sept. 30, 1952 2,646,261 Poirot July 21, 1953 

